MACC has unnamed mentri besar in crosshairs for power abuse involving illegal mining

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) has opened an investigation paper in connection with allegations of power abuse involving a mentri besar over the issue of illegal mining of rare earth elements (REE), resulting in losses for a state government.

Sources said the issue of illegal mining and losses of natural resources have been reported by non-governmental organisations in March and residents of areas where illegal mining was allegedly conducted on a large scale before it was thwarted by authorities.

In January, Umno also called on the MACC to investigate and reveal whether there was political intervention in the issue of stolen REE, which resulted in huge losses to the country.

Recently, several individuals have come forward and lodge official reports to the MACC to investigate the issue of abuse of power and corruption involving a mentri besar following a viral letter on the application of foreign worker quota to the Home Ministry, for a so-called joint project between a state government, a local company and a company from China.

Sources said the MACC has started an investigation on the illegal REE mining issue early this year and they have called up several witnesses but the progress of the investigation could not be ascertained.

Meanwhile, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations), Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, when contacted, confirmed that several investigation papers have been opened under Section 17(a) and Section 23 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, including the investigation paper opened in March.

However, he refused to elaborate when asked whether the MACC would be calling up the mentri besar concerned soon.